New Massey Ferguson compact tractors offer cab option

Massey Ferguson, a worldwide brand of AGCO, offers a new factory cab option for its 1500 Series compact tractors. The 1500 Series includes seven new compact tractors, ranging from 23 to 52 horsepower. The factory-installed cab option is available on three models, the 1533 (33 hp), 1547 (47 hp) and 1552 (52 hp).

“The new cabs have all the built-in comfort and convenience features of a full-size tractor cab, yet the low overall clearance of less than eight feet allows the user to get into smaller areas and buildings,” says Stephen Barcuch, Massey Ferguson compact tractor general marketing manager. “The enclosed cab gives owners all-weather work capability, so they can get chores done any time of the year and still benefit from the economical operating costs of their compact tractor.”

The new glass enclosed cabs feature built-in heating, air conditioning and pre-wired radio speakers. Wide front cab windows offer unobstructed visibility and cab interiors have plenty of headroom and legroom. Rear and corner windows can be opened, along with fresh air vents at the front and side of the operator platform. Vent controls can be set for fresh air or recirculated air. Cabs have doors on both sides of the tractor for convenient entry and exit. A footstep and hand grip on the door frames make for an easy step-up into the cab. Both doors can be locked from the outside and the rear window locks from inside the cab.

From the tractor seat, the operator has fingertip control of front and rear working lights, which are mounted on the corners of the cab. A cab light is mounted in the headliner above the left door, and air conditioning and heating are controlled with the operating panel in the upper right side of the headliner, all within easy reach from the tractor seat.

The 1547 and 1552 cab models come equipped with Massey Ferguson’s exclusive DynaQPS™ (Quad Power Shift) transmission, which provides 12 forward and 12 reverse speeds. The operator selects one of three speed ranges using the range shift lever at the left side of the seat, before beginning operation. Then, up and down buttons on the range shift lever let the operator select one of four speeds without stopping or depressing the clutch. A powershuttle lever on the left side of the steering column lets the operator shift instantly from forward to reverse, again without clutching. The DynaQPS™ transmission is ideal for loader work and other jobs that require frequent changes in direction and speed.

The 1547 cab model also is available with Massey Ferguson’s infinite speed hydrostatic transmission (HST) that offers three speed ranges with foot pedal control of forward and reverse. The HST option is ideal for jobs that require frequent changes from forward to reverse, and an infinite speed choice within each range. The HST includes a cruise control feature for maintaining constant speeds for jobs like mowing, spraying or towing a wagon. “The hydrostatic transmission is an excellent choice for applications that require frequent forward/reverse direction changes and speed variations,” says Jeffrey Ratliff, sales engineer for Massey Ferguson. “Operating the HST is much like driving a car with automatic transmission. The ease of operation and the HST durability make it an ideal choice for almost any job and any operator.”

The 1533 cab tractor comes with a 12 x 12 powershuttle transmission, which includes four creeper gears under 1 mph speed. Once the operator shifts into the desired range, gear changes within each range are made by depressing the clutch and shifting while the tractor is moving. Forward/reverse shuttle shifting is done with a lever on the left side of the steering column. Direction shifts are made without clutching.

Operation indicators and lights on these new tractors are functional and easy to monitor with the automotive style instrument panel. The 1547 and 1552 cab models feature a digital display instrument panel that keeps the operator informed of gear selection and ground speed, along with a diagnostic message center that alerts the operator to potential problems.

All new 1500 Series cab model tractors can be equipped with a hydraulically operated loader and/or backhoe, same as the open platform models. Loaders mount quickly without tools; backhoes mount to a sub-frame that provides quick-attach capabilities. For loader work, an optional joystick lever located at the right front of the seat allows the operator precision control of the loader boom and dump, including raise, lower, float, roll back or fast dump. The backhoe sub-frame system accommodates the three-point hitch for rotary cutters, rotary tillers, landscape rake, rear-mount blades, a posthole digger, disc harrow, finish mower and a box blade.

Each 1500 Series tractor comes with a Category I 3-point hitch that makes tractor and mounted implement an integrated working unit. An optional draft control feature automatically maintains implement depth when plowing, cultivating or using any ground-engaging implement. All tractors are equipped with an independent rear 540-rpm PTO, and an optional mid-mount PTO can be installed for operating a snow blower or mid-mount mower.

Overall height of the 1500 Series cab tractors is just over 7½ feet from ground level to top of the cab, with the tractors equipped with agricultural tires. (The 1533 stands approximately 7? feet high with ag tires.) Even with wider turf tires, overall tractor width is just 70 inches (60 inches for the 1533), although both front and rear wheel treads can be adjusted to wider settings for specific jobs. “With a minimum turning radius of just 110 inches for the 1547 and 1552 and just 98 inches for the 1533, these new compacts offer plenty of versatility for multiple uses, especially in confined areas or around landscaped areas,” says Barcuch.